Kite Ruuner Socratic Seminar #2 Reflection

     The socratic seminar influenced my thinking about the innocence of Amir. At first I had the mind set that Amir was using Baba's illness as a supplement to help be able to be able to get married with Soraya. But after having the discussion with the group, I realized that instead it was also a way to make his father happy before his father passed away. I realized that Baba actually wanted to see Amir grow up, and by getting married to a women shows how a male has improved and grown as a man. Because the group I was in wasn't as talkative, there wasn't really anything that was said or brought up that I hadn't thought of before. Except for the various ways that Amir was considered innocent, that I hadn't thought of before.
     The statement that was made by Connor where he stated that adjustment and adaptation really depends on the person themselves and the past experiences they've been through. You can't possibly just say that an adjustment to a specific area is going to be the same for all individuals. Because Baba and Amir were so used to the lifestyle of an upperclassmen, the way they were able to adjust to America was definitely much harder, than an average person whose moved from a place like Canada. If I had the chance the say anything else in the socratic seminar, it would be for me to ask the rest of my peers what they think would happen next and why? I would also ask, if Hassan's mother had never came back, how do you think the plot of the story would've changed?
     Something that worked really well in the seminar is the appeals we were able to establish. I feel as though we were able to accomplish alot of emotional appeals especially towards the end of the seminar where more people started to contribute to the discussion and were able to put out their thoughts and opinions on the topics that were brought up. Although we had a few dominators (emphasis on a few) we were able to give everyone who wanted to speak, a chance to speak.
     Something that definitely needs improvement is more people contributing to the discussion and answering more questions or even posting more questions. So many people were either shy or didn't feel like talking which made the discussion 10x less interesting than the potential that we had for it to be. I also feel as though we did alot of on-surface talking and didn't quite go into too much depth into any of the good ideas that were brought up.

Kite Runner Socratic Seminar #1 Reflection

     The seminar influenced my thinking about Amir and why he does what he does. At first my view of him was very negative, I almost hated him. My anger towards Amir was so strong due to the fact that he never stood up for Hassan. But after people brought up the fact that its not completely his fault, it was just 1. he was still a kid, a very non-confident one 2.the way he was raised and taught from his society about Hazaras greatly impacts the way he treats Hassan. 
     When Sasha said that the only reason she'd understand Amir or feel sympathetic for him is the fact that Amir himself can barely stand up for himself and with people around him saying negative things about Hazara's, it pretty much made him become hesitant to jump in for his friend. That is one statement that I agreed with the most. I agree, because that pretty much opened my eyes and almost convinced me that maybe it isn't completely Amir's fault for walking away when Hasan was getting raped. Yet, i still find it petty that he wouldn't stand up for a friend of his that he'd grown up with and had gotten breast fed from the same breast. If there was anything else I could say in the seminar is, i would of posted a question asking, "how do you think that the story so far has depicted the title, the Kite Runner". I feel like i would really like to get the insight of what people think and how they've interpreted the story so far.
     Something that worked really well is that i feel like we definitely were able to establish our logical appeals much more clearly now without having to actually say which appeal we were trying to use. I feel as though, the appeals are getting much more obvious but not to the point where you'd have to state what appeal you were trying to get at. I also believe that something that went well was how when there was an awkward silence, someone was always there to jump in to continue on the conversation, which is something I was really pleased with.
     Something that needs improvement is probably just being able to establish more emotional appeals. I feel like we aren't really emphasizing the emotional vibe as much as we are capable of. I feel as though we are more so just evenly answering and establish each appeal equally rather than raising the emotional appeal. And not only that, I feel like once there is an emotional appeal posted, we didn't go in much depth into it as much as we could have. 
     

     

1984 Book3 Prep sheet4

Part 1: Summarization 

O'Brien is an operative of the Ministry of Love, he comes to visit Winston in his cell. Winston is tortured in the cell and O'Brien informs Winston about different pieces of information. Winston is then brought to Room 101 but subjects Julia to a torture instead of him and is then released free.

Part 2: Question Development

6 Level 2 questions:

1. What does the action of Winston's neighbors getting thrown into the cell due to their own children turning them in for committing thoughtcrime, say about this society? It just tells reveals how controlling and successful Big Brother is at teaching the new generation (the children) to have society's back in his rule and turn anybody in whose even thinking anything too intelligent since it can lead on to the act of rebellion. (pg193) Logical Appeal
2.Why was Winston given a  physical beating consequence for his thoughtcrime action rather than just killed?
I believe it is because of his position that he had in the community that first played a role in what his consequence what be. Winston isn't just any ordinary guy, and he had quite a good amount of responsibilities in the way this society runs. I also think its because of the connection that he had built with O'Brien earlier, that also lessened what he would of gotten in the aftermath. Because O'Brien knew Winston and also because he knew that him and Winston had shared some pretty unique critiques about Big Brother and also the community they live in. (198-199) Ethical and Logical appeal.
3. What influence does O'Brien make on Winston when he tells Winston things such as how the Party has perfected the system practiced by Inquisition or how Julia was immediately betrayed Winston? It helps to almost persuade Winston to forget his old mindset of going against the Party and come back to the mind set that Big Brother is best for him and that he should follow the footsteps that Big Brother has to offer for everyone else in this community. O'Brien is able to do so by explaining how great the Party is and how they were doing this and that and perfecting society, while saying all the bad things that Julia was oding to him such as betraying him. It makes it seem almost as if Big Brother understands that Winston has made a huge mistake and is willing to give him another chance.(pg203,213) Logical and Emotional appeal.
4.What does Winston's dreams about Julia, his mother, and O'Brien in the Golden country reveal about Winston as a person ? It just simply emphasizes the different characters in the book that Winston values and explains how no matter how hard the society tries to condemn this idea of ignorance and value only yourself, that deep down this people in the book have still yet to adapt to this. ( pg227-229) Emotional Appeal
5. What is the process they go through to slowly almost hypnotize people into thinking that Big Brother is the best option for everyone? They torture then they just simply continue to say things such as "You must love Big Brother" they do this until the person themselves has develop that mindset due to the torture they;ve been through. And once they slowly show that, that's what they truely believe the torture lessens, (All of of part IV) Logical appeal.
6.Why does just the simply action of Winston's betrayal to Julia, lead to something as big as his freedom and him being released from this torture?Winston had a pretty big role in this society, so something as his decision to betray Julia, shows how the Party was able to turn Winston against his own thoughts of the act of rebellion against the Party. (All of V) Logical appeal.

3 Level Three Questions:

1.If we were to have places such as Room 101, do you think our society would advance even more or do the opposite? I feel like due to how our society was raised, if we were to start having the use of places such as room 101 it won't be as effective. Having features such as the option to let someone get tortured instead of you, or having you just mysteriously be gone is definitely not what our citizens would be used to at all. And if anything, if our leader really were to come up with such a thing like this, I feel like citizens would rebel until this action is put to an end. ( Emotional and Ethical)

2. Is it really possible to completely turn yourself against someone you truly even worse, your first true love? I feel like it may not but then again, it varies on the type of situation. If what the two partners have been through were truely truely the worst, then maybe they could completely turn against each other. But there had to be a reason why the two loved each other, so I don't think that you can COMPLETELY turn against each other, you may just deep deep deep down still have feelings for them without even realizing it. (Emotional)

3. You've made a wrong decision, you were punished for it then you were forgiven. Would you commit that crime again? I think it depends on how harsh you were tortured and what the bad action was. Sometimes you could stop for years, but then end up doing it again. But some may be so frightened by the torture they received, they would never commit that crime again. (Emotional and Logical)

Part 3: Tracking Evidence

"A needle slid into Winston's arm. Almost in the same instant a blissful, healing warmth spread all through his body. The pain was already half-forgotten." (pg208)

"We have beaten you, Winston. We have broken you up. You have seen what your body is like. Your mind is in the same state. I do not think there can be much pride left in you." (pg225)

1984 Socratic Seminar Reflection #3

      The seminar influenced my thinking in which the different things that could of happened to Syme was brought to my attention. After reading the book by myself, I just thought that Syme was killed by the Party. But after talking with my seminar group, the idea that he may have not been really gone came up. He could of just been trapped in some place or taken to some concentration camp, helped my ideas spread a little more abroad about Syme. Also i was able to get a more insight of how others had reacted to when readers were exposed that Mr.Charrington was actually a thought police.
     A statement  that I agreed with the most was made by Victoria when she answered my question. Her statement was when she said that Winston most likely wasn't only attracted to Julia just because she met his sexual needs, but because he had developed stronger and deeper feelings for her. The statement that i disagreed with the most was that O'Brien was considered an innocent character. Because as I'm analyzing the story of 1984, I feel like he may turn out to be one of those surprising antagonists where he may even turn out to be Big Brother if anything. I say this because the fact that he knew how to turn off the telescreen and magically turn it back on, is definitely something unusual.
     Something that worked well for this seminar was how focused and on-topic everyone was throughout the conversation. I felt as though the fact that everyone was so eager to start the seminar even though Ms.Hunter was not there should definitely mean something. I also feel like because there was so many interesting plots to talk about, everyone wanted to start.
     Something that needs improvement within this group is probably just the idea of getting more in-text conversation in the discussion. I feel as though we've done lots of text-to-world connections and that we've kind of gotten a bit away from the book itself and discussing more about how the situations in the book relate more and play a role more in our society today. Now, dont get me wrong, the fact that we are able to make a connection should also show our understanding, but I think if we could talk a bit more in depth about the things happening in the book more would be great.!

1984 Socratic Seminar #2 Reflection

     The seminar influenced my thinking about  the way our society works today. The more people made connections to our world today to the dystopian society of 1984,  makes me realize how we do have some similar characteristics. Yet there are major features in the book that definitely differentiate our world to the society of 1984. One thing that  was brought up that made me think of something I had never thought of before, was how the Proles and the people of the Party were recruited. The more people talked about how the Proles may have the most freedom in the society, made me wonder how these people even became the Proles and how probably everyone wished they could be part of the Proles.
     A statement made by Rachel  is what I had agreed with most, she said that the society gives out newspapers to help supplement the illusion that the citizens do have some freedom in their hands and that they aren't just completely being over controlled and under surveillance. I agree with Rachel because, having newspapers not only helps the citizens feel like they live in a perfect society but it also helps the people of the Party and Big Brother help spread some information they would like the citizens to know. Although,  There was no statement that was said where I had disagreed with the most because the conversation within the group was basically just people building off of one another's ideas rather than overlapping ideas. If there was anything else that I could of said was probably agree with Rachel and her statement about the newspaper and I would of analyzed my ideas and thoughts about that situation as well.
     Something that worked really well for the seminar was how everyone was given the chance to talk as well as have their say on each of the topics that were brought up. I feel like nooone was really dominating the conversation this time. I also liked how our group was also able to get in more ethical and emotional appeals this time around, rather than just straight up logical appeals. Another thing that worked really well was how we started off by reading our summaries. I feel like by having us do this, we were able to all start off on the same page and know how everyone had taken in the information that we read about 1984 and  interpreted the events.
     Something that needs improvement is probably just the idea that we need more arguements within this group. This idea was brought up by Lina. She was saying how the conversation is getting a little boring since everyone is just agreeing with one another. So I feel like if we were to have added some spice into this group, having some arguements then using bits and pieces of information from the book to help support our statement would help make the conversation a bit more entertaining. But other than that, i feel like everything was good.

1984 Socratic Seminar #1 Reflection

   
     The seminar influenced my thinking about the future of the world and how our society has a possibility to  slowly  be turning into a society like in 1984. The thought of this is pretty crazy and oblivious. Yet the information of connection from the world in relation to the book, really has brought the attention to me that our society really could be changing and heading towards that path of  the society in 1984. One thing that was said before that I hadn't thought of before is the idea that freedom of speech is starting to lessen in our society. We still have the right and ability to say whatever we want, but just the result of what was said can either be positive where people are supporting you or negative where it's down to the point where you could get killed for to prevent the idea from spreading.
     One statement that I agreed with the most was the statement that the name, Big Brother truly does make a difference as to how the citizens look up to their leader. How the name, Big Brother gives the illusion of  less controlling over his citizens and more so of a caring leader that is willing to do anything for the happiness and comfort of his people. There wasn't quite anything that was being said that I disagreed on though, because the statements made in the seminar pretty much supported each other rather than overlap. If I had another opportunity to say something, is post a question to the group. I would of asked the question along the lines of "In your perspective are spies such as Junior Spies in this book, really needed? and without them do you think the overall plot of society would really be impacted by it?"
     Something that worked out really well for the seminar was how in sync everyone was. How great the first conversation about this book really flowed in together. And how everyone's different bits and pieces of information was brought together to make a whole conversation. Also, just how everyone was able to back up their statement with a supporting piece of evidence of text-to-world evidence was done really well.
     I think something that needs improvement was everyone getting a chance to talk. I feel as though the discussion leader didn't necessarily try to help those who weren't speaking as much (such as myself)  or help prop them to speak up. With the discussion leader lacking this feature of being able to atleast try to  incorporate everyone  into the discussion, we end up having those who are dominating the conversation.

Othello Dramatic Reading Words and Actions Video

                                                                                                                                                                                                                Statement of Intent: 

 For Roderigo, I choose to display his tone in a more of a shakey and non confident way. While for Iago, I choose to display his tone in a more happy and preppy way. Roderigo has much more pauses when compared to Iago's and that is because I wanted to make Roderigo's character more of a person who is confused by love and doesn't know what his next step should be. But fro Iago, in order for him to be able to convince Roderigo, he must sound supportive yet confident enough to be able to convince Roderigo into his plan.
     As I was "becoming" the characters I learned a few things. I learned Roderigo's perspective a little more. I saw how foolish he must've felt for falling for Iago's plans and not only that, his love story also failed miserably. That was something that must have been terribly depressing. But as of Iago, I haven't learned much, except for how easy it probably could of been for him to just play with Roderigo's head with such sensitive topics such as love.
            I feel like my example did further complicate the conflict. I feel like just this little snippet, further emphasized Iago's evil plan to sabotage Othello's love life with Desdemona. It also helped to show how innocent Roderigo was and how he actually was really in love.This example also helped to emphasize Iago's evilness as well as said beofre, the innocence of Roderigo and how this whole time he was willing to even drown himself due to this failiure of love. Also, how concerned he was to the point where he had to talk it out with iago also shows a characterization of Rodgerigo of how loving he is.

Chapter 8: Surrounded AND Justification Paper3

Theme: Crimes

Quote 1: " "Five minutes!" the jumpmaster yelled from the front of a C-130 military aircraft. "Five minutes!" my entire chalk of Airborne candidates yelled back at him in the military's famous call- and - response cadence. We all knew what was next, and now we knew how long we had before it was time to face it. Five minutes." (pg.129)
Analysis 1: This quote represents how freewill from Wes's mother which was to make him join the military school caused Wes to continue his study in military and continue in advancing in pursuing his future career. What I mean is force from Wes's mother to make her son go to military school is considered freewill. And what ends up happening due to her decision to make her son go to military school, is her son ending up succeeding in military school and continuing in advancing in this branch of study.

Quote 2: "I realized that I had to make sure these schools knew my name regardless of what I did on the ninety feet of hardwood that had brought me to their attention. Just as military school had slowly grown on me, so had academic life." (pg130)
Analysis 2: It was fate that caused Wes to end up staying at military school as well as to become a sergeant. Yes it was his mother's freewill that made him go there but it was definitely fate that caused him to stay there especially when Wes tried to run away for the first time. It was faith that forced Wes to stay until he started to grow a fond for it and start wanting to stay there for his own pleasure. From this quote we can see how happy and pleased Wes was with going to military school and how well his life was starting to turn out especially his academics and military life.

Quote 3; "Wes took the face of his third and fourth children's mother in his hands and began to shake her. She lay on the couch, saliva dripping out of corners of her mouth...her pupils dilated and rolling to the back of her head , heroin still flowing through her veins." (pg137)
Analysis 3: This situation of Wes2 meeting and making kids with Cheryl is an example that supports the theme of freewill. Wes had already had two kids with Alicia so the fact that he would continue to mess with other girls even though he already has a family of his own was his choice. Wes going down to mess with Cheryl was clearly his own choice , so the situation where he was in on page 137 was a outcome of his freewill.

Quote 4: "By the end of the story, I was furious. First, at Shani for not punching Lateshia back, but then at Lateshia, who had the audacity to go after my sister." (pg, 78)

Analysis 4: Although the details are completely different, the sibling relationship between Wes1 and his little sister Shani & the sibling relationship between Wes2 and his brother Tony assemble each other. The older sibling, having the mentality to always on the look out and protecting their younger ones.

Quote 5: "I was a little shaken as we walked back home in the twilight. little things like this had a way of escalating into blood feuds. Big brothers called bigger brothers, who called crews." (pg79)

Analysis 5: Just given of this description, kind of reminds or relates back to of Jusitn's cautious journey he would always have to do while traveling back home.

Justification Paper #3

     In part 3, Paths Taken and Expectations Fulfilled is basically the concluding and ending of both Wes Moore's. Wes Moore #1 is now continuing his life and career as a lieutenant as well as deepening his study with the Rhodes Scholarship. While Wes Moore#2, his life is rather the opposite of Wes1 and is not imprisoned for the crime that he was claimed to have committed. The title, Paths Taken and Expectations Fulfilled is appropriate with the authors purpose of summarizing he basic end of the 2 Wes' lives such as the different paths that they've taken as well as what they've accomplished out of life.
     In 7, page 129 we begin part 3 with seeing how Wes Moore 1 is continuing his study as a military leader. He goes through different experiences such as jumping off a plane or in chapter 8 page 162 where he decides to take the Rhodes Scholarship and go to South Africa to learn more about the world. This shows how Wes1 decided that his path was to continue his life as a lieutenant and how he was able to accomplish what he wanted and was able to become the brand-new second lieutenant in the Army Reserve. Other the other hand, with Wes 2, in chapter 7 page 144 we see that Wes2 decides to cut himself out from the drugs industry and begin a new life by completing his GED requirements from Job Corps Center which was a place where people was given the chance to start over and complete their GED again. But later in chapter 8, we learn that Wes had committed a crime ( a path that was taken from him) and his outcome was jail.
     In conclusion, the title Paths Taken and Expectations Fulfilled is appropriate with the author's purpose to give a basic ending summary of both of the Wes' lives. The paths taken part of the titles represents the different choices both Wes's decide to make and how they decided they would continue life. And the Expectations fulfilled part of the title represents with each other the Wes Moore's got as a result of the paths they decided to take.

Chapter 7: The Land That God Forgot

Theme: Fate Vs Freewill

Quote 1: " "Five minutes!" the jumpmaster yelled from the front of a C-130 military aircraft. "Five minutes!" my entire chalk of Airborne candidates yelled back at him in the military's famous call- and - response cadence. We all knew what was next, and now we knew how long we had before it was time to face it. Five minutes." (pg.129)
Analysis 1: This quote represents how freewill from Wes's mother which was to make him join the military school caused Wes to continue his study in military and continue in advancing in pursuing his future career. What I mean is force from Wes's mother to make her son go to military school is considered freewill. And what ends up happening due to her decision to make her son go to military school, is her son ending up succeeding in military school and continuing in advancing in this branch of study.

Quote 2: "I realized that I had to make sure these schools knew my name regardless of what I did on the ninety feet of hardwood that had brought me to their attention. Just as military school had slowly grown on me, so had academic life." (pg130)
Analysis 2: It was fate that caused Wes to end up staying at military school as well as to become a sergeant. Yes it was his mother's freewill that made him go there but it was definitely fate that caused him to stay there especially when Wes tried to run away for the first time. It was faith that forced Wes to stay until he started to grow a fond for it and start wanting to stay there for his own pleasure. From this quote we can see how happy and pleased Wes was with going to military school and how well his life was starting to turn out especially his academics and military life.

Quote 3; "Wes took the face of his third and fourth children's mother in his hands and began to shake her. She lay on the couch, saliva dripping out of corners of her mouth...her pupils dilated and rolling to the back of her head , heroin still flowing through her veins." (pg137)
Analysis 3: This situation of Wes2 meeting and making kids with Cheryl is an example that supports the theme of freewill. Wes had already had two kids with Alicia so the fact that he would continue to mess with other girls even though he already has a family of his own with Alicia was his own choice. Wes going down to mess with Cheryl was clearly his own decision , so the situation where he was having to wake up Cheryl due to her drug addiction ( which he despises) on page 137 was a outcome of his own freewill.

Quote 4: "Wes turned down Edmondson Avenue, walking toward his friend Levy's house. Levy was a bit younger than Wes but had managed to get out of the hustling game a few months back. At first, Wes had been confused by Levy's decision: why would he give up so much money to go straight? But days like today were making Wes think that maybe Levy was the smart one." (pg138)
Analysis 4: The choice of Wes2 to go down to Levy's house and talk to his friend about helping himself get out of the drug industry was his own choice. His own freewill. It was his own decision to start a new life and finish and get his diploma and get a new job even though it meant less money and harder work. Wes was willing to do whatever it took to get himself away from drugs.

Quote 5: "After seven months, Wes met his graduation from Job Corps with as much trepidation as excitement. No longer would he have to show up at the large parking lot on Sunday evenings waiting for the blue bus. No longer would he have to share a room with levy who, after a troubled start, was completing his GED requirements and starting his vocational classes. Wes would now be on his own."
Analysis 5: This situation more so reflects fate. I feel like the outcome of Wes's completion and success from Job Corps was fate. Because if fate didn't want him to succeed futher in life then no matter what Wes had done, he wouldn't have never got to where he stands right now. In this situation, Wes has just finished and graduated from Jobs Corps, he was now allowed to go back home and begin a new life. He was now free and had nothing to do with the drug industry anymore. 

Chapter 6: Hunted AND Justification Paper #2

Theme: Life Choices

Quote 1: "Woody was one of the students who made it across the finish line kicking and screaming... as he entered the area where all the students were sitting to prepare for the ceremony, he knew none of that mattered. All that mattered was that he was here. He had accomplished his mission of completing high school." (pg 109)

Analysis 1:  Out of all of Woody's friends he was one of the many that was actually able to get through the four years of high school and graduate. This was due to his life choices and decisions he made throughout high school. The fact that Woody was able to finish high school successfully shows a dark contrast between him and someone like Wes. Wes had made the decision to take school less importantly as how Woody had. Wes had decided that dealing drugs would get him further in life, so that choice of him eventually affected him and prevented him in going to school which caused him to not officially graduate and get his diploma like Woody. But instead someone like Woody, decided to stay in school and his result was an official high school diploma. This situation shows how important it is that you choose and decide on factors like this importantly because eventually, the result will follow up on you and affect you either negatively or importantly.

Quote 2: " Not surprisingly, without a high school diploma or job training-- and with a criminal record-- Wes found it almost impossible to find a job to support his growing family." (pg110)
Analysis 2: Due to Wes's decision to deal drugs, he ended up getting caught and got put in jail. This greatly impacted not only Wes's life but also the people that surround Wes and people that are involved in Wes's life such as Alicia or his mother or his friends. Alicia and her newly born baby with Wes had to strive and fight to survive together without Wes  financially such as money or where they live. They also had to survive physically such as food or health. With Wes this factor was already pretty complicated but with him in jail, made it especially hard for Alicia to survive not only herself but as a single mother. And all this was causede just because of Wes's choice to deal drugs and have sex at such an early age. If Wes had not decide to deal drugs, he wouldn't have been put in jail and would of been able to finish school like Woody. If Wes had not made to decision to have sex with Alicia so early, they wouldn't have never even have to go through the trouble of having a baby.

Quote 3: "As Wes took the money, their hands touched briefly. The man's hands were smooth, and his nails were clean. Damn...As he turned the corner, he heard a yell behind him. " Stop moving and get your hands up!"... He maintained the same pace until he caught sight of two men running toward him."(pg114)
Analysis 3: This quote greatly shows how greatly Wes's decision to sell his drug to a specific someone greatly impacted his life. In this situation, Wes was walking down his neighborhood until all of a sudden, a man Wes has never seen before around the community, asks him if he has any drugs on him that he can buy off of. At first Wes says no, because one of his rules that he lives buy to is to never sell to anyone that is a stranger and just randomly comes up to you for drugs. But because Wes desperately needed some money, he decided to walk back to the man and sell it to him. Not much later he ends up finding out that the man was a police in disguise and Wes gets put into jail. Wes's decision to walk back and sell the drugs to the man resulted in him getting caught and getting put into jail. If Wes was to continue walking that day and go home like how he was planning to, he would've never have gotten caught and maybe could of had the chance of finish high school and not have gotten a criminal record... just if he had continued walking back home.

Quote 4: "Even though I'd grown to love military school, I still had mixed feelings about being there, and they were eating at me. I wanted to be home, to talk to Justin after he left the hospital." (pg118)
Analysis 4: The choice of Wes Moore #1 to do poorly in school or act up got him put in military school. After Wes was put in military school, it not only improved his life but it also caused people around him to have to readjust. His family for example, had to do extra jobs or give up certain things just to get Wes in military school to get more disciplined. It also affected his friends like Justin, who was used to wes being there for him. But once Wes had to leave for military school, Justin wasn't able to relive his pain on anyone as easily as how he was able to when Wes was around. But due to Wes's decision to get him into military school, effected Wes by him being one of the most successful sergeants in the area. Having Wes in military school also helped him in education and college options.

Quote 5: "But I had to let this one go. I had to look at the bigger picture." (pg121)
Analysis 5: Wes was torn between fighting back some drunkies who had threw a bottle at him while he was walking down the street with one of his other sergeants, or just letting it go and head back on to the campus. Wes's first reaction was to fight back due to where he had came from. But after he was put into military school and promoted one of the best sergeants, he had to look at the bigger picture and see if fighting back was really worth it. And the end, Wes decided to let it slide and just run back to campus with Dalio. Because of Wes's choice to not fight back, he managed to keep Dalio safe and prevent himself in getting any more injured as well as keeping himself and Dalio out of trouble.

Justification Paper #2

     In part two, Choices and Second Chances was mainly focusing on how both Wes Moore's lives are gradually changing. How they each pursue their lives due to the choices that they've made earlier.And also how they try to fight to stand back up and slowly adjust their lifestyles for not only themselves, but also the people that surround them. Chocies and Second Chances is appropriate with the author's purpose because the title itself, is a message the author is trying to motivate those who feel like they've failed in life and can't get back up.
   Chapter four first starts off by showing the readers how Wes Moore2 has started to get more affiliated with drug dealing and how his brother is angered because he does not wish to see his brother follow his own footsteps and fail in life. On page 70, we see how angered Tony was when he started to find out about his brother dealing drugs and getting tons of money from it, "Tony grabbed Wes's shirt collar and pulled him in close."How many times do I have to tell you to leave this stuff alone, man?" His tone was low and serious, but he barked his words out." From this quote the author attempts to foreshadow Wes2's life later on in the book. The author did so by having, Tony already warning  him to stop and Wes wouldn't stop and he still wouldnt stop after he got caught the second time by Tony shows how Wes most likely will not stop until  maybe something big  and extravagant actually hits him. On page 118, we then learn that Wes Moore1 gets a second chance to restart his life by being forced to military school and how he is actually grateful for being put into there. If his mother had never took him out and sent him to military school, Wes could of had a high possibility of maybe being somewhat tied into drugs like Wes2 or just failing school and not going anywhere far with his life.
     In conclusion,Choices and Second Chances is appropriate with the author's purpose because the author was trying to encourage those who may have not dealt with life so well such as with various situations and end up failing, to stand back up and fight because there is always a second chance. He also tries to convey hope and say that there are always advantages that people can take to start a new life again. The choices part of the title represents the different choices that both Wes Moore's had in their life and how the choices that they made had impacted their lives greatly. The Second chances part of the title represents the second chances that both Wes Moores had to start over. 

Chapter 5: Lost

Theme: Overcoming Obstacles

Quote 1: " "Get up, get up, get out of your racks, plebes!" It was 5:30 in the morning, my room was pitch-dark, and the sound of half a dozen teenagers screaming at the top of their lungs startled me out of the light sleep I'd drifted into." (pg85)

Analysis 1 : This quote shows how Wes Moore was being comfortable and having a great sleep until all of a sudden someone is calling him to get up early in the morning. Yes, this is the life of a military scholar. This unusual routine of Wes having to get up early in the morning due to someone screaming to the top of their lungs represents an obstacle Wes is going to have to overcome as he progresses through military school.

Quote 2: " I turned around so I could face him and was met with a fusillade of saliva as he continued his tirade. Why in the world was he yellling so early in the morning? And who did he think he was, screaming at me like that?" (pg86-87)

Analysis 2: This quote again, also represents one of the many obstacles Wes Moore #1 is going to have to overcome at military school. Another obstacle includes him getting used to people yelling at him so harshly. 

Qoute 3: " When neither came, she reached back and unloaded another slap to my face. She looked at me again, waiting for a reaction... Every reflex inside said to strike back, but I didn't. How Could I? She was my everything," (pg88)

Analysis 3: After Wes was slapped in the face by his mother, he's usual response to anyone who would slap him is for him to fight back. But because this was his mother who had slapped him, he had to overcome to urge to fight her back and which he did.

Quote 4: " It had taken a while, but Wes was finally getting accustomed to the long route, the new school, and the new environment...but he soon discovered that the hood came in different shapes and sizes." (pg97)

Analysis 4: This quote introduces and foreshadows the newly life obstacles of Wes Moore #2 and what type of situations he would have to go through due to his newly environment he has moved to. it suggests that he would have to get used to the new school, the new way he would have to get to and from school, his new acquaintances and aside from school also some problems that he was already having to overcome back home such as gang violence or "hood problems" just they would come out in new different forms.

Quote 5: "Within two months of their meeting, Alicia told Wes that her period was late. Four tests and eight matching plus signs later, it was confirmed. They were going to be parents." (pg99)

Analysis 5:   This event of Alicia finally revealing that she was pregnant with Wes marks the beginning of a whole 'nother series of obstacles that Wes is going to have to overcome. Obstacles starting from telling his mother to obstacles such as him learning how to become a good father and be able to support Alicia and their child.   

Wes Moore Characterization Sonnets

Wes Moore #1 (Narrator)

Name is Wes Moore he,
A polished young African American little boy he is.
Life story much more complicated than thy can believe;
An interesting story is this

Who lost thou father a boy
Always asking for his missing father of his
Wasn't even left by thou father a toy
Ended up moving with the family of his

Didst always academically disappoint thou mother
Fitting in with acquaintances always a hard time
Yet always well respected by another
So protective of thou sister, almost hard to find words to rhyme

Youth so softly spoken
To thee it could be unbelievable that he is broken


Wes Moore #2 (the other Wes Moore)

Name of thou is Wes Moore
A life of a thug he has
A drug dealer thy can be sure
A life of his you would want to tour

A well respected youth
Yet has the behavior of the angered
Emotionally and physically strong in both
A boy who always lingered

Rough he is
That caused a disappointed mother
Protective thou brother is
The past to reoccur didn't want thou brother

A simple little boy
Whose world is like of a toy

Chapter 4 : Marking Territory

Theme: Parallel Biographies

Quote 1: " She felt like she'd been punched in the stomach. She sat down on the bed, unsure of what  to think. She wasn't only upset about the drugs, she was upset about the lying. She didn't even bother looking in the second box; she already knew all she needed to know. Both of her sons were drug dealers." (pg.73)

Analysis 1: This scenery included in chapter 4 was a scene where Wes 2's mom found out that her son was a drug dealer after he had told her that he was a DJ. After she found out about this truth, she was just greatly disappointed with her own son's actions to decide to sell drugs as well as that she trusted him so much and he ends up repaying this trust of her with a hard stab back of selling drugs.

Quote 2: " My academic failures had forced her to go through the stages of grief: denial,anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. She's been stuck in depression for a long time and hadn't quite made it to acceptance, no matter how much I'd hoped she'd get there." (pg76) 

Analysis 2: A similar story to Wes 2, Wes 1 (the narrator) has also disappointed his mother. His mother has done so much for him to be able to attend a well- educated school outside the community but he ends up repaying her with bad grades from school. This also effects the author's mom greatly, because she had such high hopes for her son to do well in school and the fat that he let himself get  such low grades, placed her in a bad and hard stage of coping with this truth. 

Quote 3: "The move to the Bronx had been hard on her. Nikki never fully adjusted to the new social and academic environment; she attended three different high schools in four years." (pg.77)

Analysis 3: This part of Nikki's life in very similar to Wes 1''s as well. Wes himself has a hard time adjusting and balancing his life between his life at his private school and his life with his friends back in his neighborhood. In comparison to Nikki, because Nikki has moved high schools so frequently, she was also never really given the chance to be able to balance out her social life and academic life.

Quote 4: "By the end of the story, I was furious. First, at Shani for not punching Lateshia back, but then at Lateshia, who had the audacity to go after my sister." (pg, 78)

Analysis 4: Although the details are completely different, the sibling relationship between Wes1 and his little sister Shani & the sibling relationship between Wes2 and his brother Tony assemble each other. The older sibling, having the mentality to always on the look out and protecting their younger ones.

Quote 5: "I was a little shaken as we walked back home in the twilight. little things like this had a way of escalating into blood feuds. Big brothers called bigger brothers, who called crews." (pg79)

Analysis 5: Just given of this description, kind of reminds or relates back to of Jusitn's cautious journey he would always have to do while traveling back home. 

Chapter 3: Foreign Ground AND Justification Paper #1

Theme: Overcoming Obstacles

Quote 1 : "My mother saw Riverdale as a haven, a place where I could escape my neighborhood and open my horizons. But for me, it was where I got lost." (pg.48)

Analysis 1: This quote is a foreshadow of the obstacle that Wes Moore would have to overcome later on the book. The obstacle would be him having to readjust and fit in both Riverdale and his friends in the Bronx that don't attend Riverdale. Wes Moore attending Riverdale would be considered an obstacle because Riverdale is known as a dominantly-white school. Therefore most of the people there he might have never seen and also because he is Black they may judge him and he might not be able to get along with them so well.

Quote 2 : " 'Nah, for real, what's up with Riverdale?' Pariis asked, bringing the topic back. His voice rose on the last word, as he made his best attempt at a proper British accent. I had to admit that Riverdale sounded a little like something out of Archie Comics. It was embarrassing." (pg49)

Analysis 2: The facr that Wes Moore now attends a private school across town from his neighborhood creates a social obstacle for him and his friends. Because his friends go to a public school in the area and the fact that Wes Moore doesn't creates a separation from his friends. His friends are able to make fun of him and pick on him because of that. 

Quote 3: "Justin lived a few train stops away from me, and taking the train home after dark was a different journey than the one we'd made earlier in the day.Justin knew the rules." (pg51)

Analysis 3: This introduces some of the obstacles that Justin has to go through sometimes when he has to get to his home. For Justin, his community is a little more on the violent side. So when he's going home, he has rules that he lives by while traveling back home especially in the dark.

Quote 4: " Every time I looked around at the building and the trees and the view of the river, I was reminded of the sacrifices my mother was making to keep me there. And every time I looked to my fellow students, I was reminded of how little I fit in." (pg52)
Analysis 4: This quote also puts an emphasis on Wes Moore's obstacle of trying to fit in with the rest of the kids at his school, Riverdale. The only thing that was really keeping him there at the time and pushing him to overcome the obstacles was his mother's sacrifices she made for him to be able to attend that school.

Quote 5: " I was becoming too 'rich' for the kids from the neighborhood and too 'poor' for the kids at school. I had forgotten how to act naturally, thinking way too much in each situation and getting tangled in the contradictions between my two worlds." (pg53-54)
Analysis 5: What Wes Moore was saying was that he wasn't the average kid in either his school where he came from a more poor community compared to the rest of the kids at his school. But at the same time because he was able to attend this rich school in Riverdale while the rest of his friends in his community attended a regular local school, he was considered rich compared to them. Because of this difference, Wes had a hard time balancing the way he should act that it was almost hard for him to be himself because he had to overcome the obstacle of balancing the way he associates with his friends from both school and those at home."

Justification Paper #1

     In part one, Fathers and Angels, we are introduced to the setting of the story and are acquainted to the different characters in the book. We soon learn that there are 2 stories being told at once in the book. We have the narrator, Wes Moore's story being told as well as another character name Wes Moore as well being told. We then later see that these two stories have both similarities yet differences in terms of their lifelong story.  The title, Fathers and Angels is appropriate with the authors purpose of introducing the role of what father's play in this book as well as how these father's had made a big impact on their son's life. 

   In chapter 1, pages 14-16 we see that Wes Moore #1's (our narrator)  father had passed away. We then later start seeing how his father's death had made a big effect on the family in chapter 2. The result was that on pages 36-38 the narrator's mother decides that she can't take care of her children alone anymore so she decides that they move up to New York with their grandparents. This decision to move later impacts Wes Moore's educational and social life. In chapter 1, starting from page 16 we are also introduced to the other Wes Moore, Wes Moore #2. We learn that he too, also has no father living presently with him and that he lives with his single mother, Mary Moore. In Chapter 3 starting from page 55,We then see the later side effect of Wes Moore2 not having a father which is him beginning to start messing with drugs. 

   In conclusion, the title Fathers and Angels is appropriate with the authors purpose of introducing the role of what father's play in this book as well as how these father's had changed the lives of their sons Wes Moore. The fathers part of the title ties a tie to the authors purpose by introducing how the father's nonexistence had made the short and long term impact of their families life. And more specifically to their son's.  The angels part of the title more so focuses on Wes Moore #1 and how the death of his father had changed from where him and his family now live to the type of people and situations Wes Moore #1 has to go through in the Bronx. 

Chapter 2 : In Search of Home

Theme: Crimes

Quote 1: "The Murphy Homes were built in 1962 and named after George Murphy... but just as often they went by the self-explanatory nickname, Murder Homes." (pg.26)

Analysis 1: This chapter already starts off by introducing a known crime area called the Murder Homes. The author explains how the most dangerous things are done here, therefore introducing the theme of crime.

Quote 2: "Tony had started dealing drugs in those shadowy hallways of Murphy Homes before he was ten. By the time he was fourteen, Tony had built a fierce reputation in the neighborhood." (pg.27)

Analysis 2: The theme of crime is described through this quote because this quote tells us about Tony and how he almost symbolizes crime in his neighborhood due to the things he does such as selling drugs.

Quote 3: "As Woody got closer, his attention was diverted from Wes's left hand to his right, where he held a long-bladed knife." (pg.33)

Analysis 3: This quote supports the theme of crime because it acts as a foreshadow of crime of murder that Wes was going to commit between Wes, the knife in Wes' hand and the small guy that had punched Wes in the face.

Quote 4: "They ignored Woody until he shouted out, "if y'all don't ;et him go, I'm gonna have to kill somebody!" Moments later, Woody was in handcuffs too." (pg.35)

Analysis 4: This quote helps emphasize the importance of crime in this chapter. We see that at first the police officers completely ignore Woody, but once Woody threatens to commit a crime such as killing someone, they automatically turn their attention towards Woody. And the police officers end up hand cuffing Woody as well.

Quote 5: "One of the neighbors must have called the police, because two cruisers had pulled up, flashing their red and blue lights.They blocked off the alley." (pg.33)

Analysis 5: This quote also emphasizes the theme of crime in this area, specifically in this chapter. Once someone spots some kids starting a fight, they automatically know to call the police to prevent this crime of fighting getting bigger until it gets out of hand.

 

Chapter 1 : Is Daddy Coming With Us?

Theme: Absent Fathers

Quote 1: "Bill seemed to suddenly regain his sobriety. He backed out of the kitchen slowly, not taking his eyes from his wife's tear-drenched face... One month later, Joy and Nikki were packed up. Together, they left Bill for good." (Ch1, page 10) 

Analysis 1:  This quote shows how the theme of "Absent Fathers" was revealed through the depiction of how Nikki (Joy's oldest daughter with Bill) and Joy left Bill. It foreshadow's the start of  how Nikki would have to survive with the absence of her father.This was going to be the lifestyle of Joy and Nikki until Joy runs into her second husband, Wes Moore. Although Bill wasn't the one who left the family but it was actually Joy's decision to leave him, even though they were to stay together Bill wasn't there for Nikki as a father mentally nor physically. he was always out drinking and never there to support her as a father.

Quote 2: "With my father no longer in the picture, the pressure was off. It was as if my sister lost two fathers that day." (Ch1, page 15)

Analysis 2 : This quote shows how the absence of both the narrator's father, Wes Moore had made an impact on not only the narrator but on Nikki as well. Although Nikki and her mother did leave Bill, once Joy was remarried to Wes and once Bill found out about how Wes had cared for Nikki as if she was his own daughter it got Bill jealous. It influenced him to take care of Nikki even more and claim his title as a father again. But once Wes died, the pressure was off and Bill started to lay off and actually disappear again as a father to Nikki. The death of Wes Moore marked the day Nikki has lost both her blood father and a man that was thought to be her father.

Quote 3: " That is one of only two memories I have of my father. The other was when i watched him die." (Ch1, pg 11)

Analysis 3: This quote also shows a foreshadow of the absence of the narrator's father's death. It shows how the narrator barely had any memories with his father. How he barely remembers anything related to his father or  how he barely got to spend much quality time with his father before his father passes away. 

Quote 4: " He lay in the casket with his eyes closed. It was the first time I had seen him in days. he looked more serene than her appeared at the bottom of the stairs. He looked at peace. I was holding my uncle Vin's hand when I looked into the casket and asked my father, "Daddy, are you going to come home with us?" "    (Ch1, pgs15-16)

Analysis 4: This quote shows how the narrator still doesn't know what has been going on with his father. He just knows that his father has been gone for a while and he is concerned as to when his father will come back and reunite with the family.

Quote 5: " Three days later, Kenneth received the news that Alma's body had rejected the new kidney and she had died earlier that morning. Kenneth had to tell his children what had happened. But how do you share something with kids that you have not fully absorbed yourself yet? Kenneth, usually a gregarious and fun-loving person, also fought the demons of alcoholism." (Ch1, pg21)

Analysis 5: This quote also shows the absence of Mary's and Tony's father. Although physically he was still there, emotionally as a father he was not. After he recieved the news that his soul-partner has passed away he was unable to cope with that fact. He didn't know how to accept it. So emotionally, he wasn't there to help support his children. Emotionally, he was absent to his children.